Plan Moves to Dutrow's Barn at Aqueduct

Plan, runner-up in the Aug. 9 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) at Arlington Park, was transferred to the Aqueduct barn of trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. after IEAH Stables acquired controlling and managing interest in the 3-year-old colt.

Michael Tabor sold an undisclosed interest in the son of Storm Catprior to entries being taken for the Secretariat Stakes.

Michael Sherack, vice president of investor relations for IEAH, described the partnership with Tabor. “We have majority, controlling, and managing interest,” he said. “(Plan) will run in our silks.”

Plan, who is out Spain, the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (gr. I) winner, was trained by Aidan O’Brien for the first six starts of his career, including the Secretariat. Plan was the second choice among nine runners in the Secretariat, and was beaten 7 1/4 lengths by another European invader, Winchester.

Sherack said the deal came together quickly the week of Aug. 3. IEAH was tipped to Plan, who won the group III International Stakes at the Curragh July 12, by bloodstock agents Frank Lyons and Niall Dalton. Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, who serves as IEAH Stables’ senior adviser of racing and bloodstock affairs, went to O’Brien’s yard in Ireland to ride Plan, and then gave his feedback to IEAH’s Michael Iavarone.

“We heard he was a horse that we needed to look at,” Sherack said Aug. 11. “Gary (Stevens) thought he would be a horse suited to firmer ground, and would fit well here in the United States. He has a brilliant pedigree, for dirt or turf.”

Sherack said no race has been chosen for Plan’s next start, but he said all options are open for the colt bred by Dromoland Farm in Kentucky.

“It would be unfair to say right now what is next, since he just got to (Dutrow’s) barn, and he will need to assess him, and see how he came out of the (Secretariat),” Sherack said. “But will be shooting for some big races with him.”

Plan has a record of 2-1-0 in six starts, and earnings of $179,143. Plan is the first horse IEAH has owned in partnership with Tabor.